Bristol County, RI
How to Change Your Name in Bristol County
File your adult name change petition with the Bristol Probate Court. The filing fee is $34. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Rhode Island checklist
The court step is one of many — the free state guide maps SSA, DMV, passport and the records that come after.
Court Information
- Court
- Bristol Probate Court (Town of Bristol)
- Filing fee
- $34
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File the statewide form PC-8.1 with the probate court of the city or town where you live (R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28(b)). Bristol County residents file in their own town's probate court — Bristol ($34 verified), Warren (fee nhc), Barrington (fee nhc); the Town of Bristol Probate Court is recorded here as the county's representative court. Full municipal enumeration in municipal_probate_courts.
- Court address
- 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809.
- Court phone
- 401-253-7000 x121
- Jurisdiction
- Probate Court (city/town)
- Official forms
- www.riprobatejudges.com/bristol-probate/ ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Bristol County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data
Getting Certified Copies
Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data
You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.
Step-by-Step Process
- Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in Bristol County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Bristol Probate Court clerk or its website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee, complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data with the Bristol Probate Court
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — ask the clerk how to request them.
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Check what you are missing before you file
The free readiness score checks documents, forms, fees and privacy across four dimensions — and links the gaps to the same Rhode Island guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Bristol Probate Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Bristol County, Rhode Island?
The court filing fee is $34. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition. Certified copies may cost extra; ask the clerk for the current copy fee.
Where and how do I file a name change in Bristol County?
File with the Bristol Probate Court. Venue rule: File the statewide form PC-8.1 with the probate court of the city or town where you live (R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28(b)). Bristol County residents file in their own town's probate court — Bristol ($34 verified), Warren (fee nhc), Barrington (fee nhc); the Town of Bristol Probate Court is recorded here as the county's representative court. Full municipal enumeration in municipal_probate_courts. Accepted filing methods: Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Bristol County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Bristol Probate Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Bristol County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Bristol Probate Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Bristol County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the Bristol Probate Court. Ask the Bristol Probate Court clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.